The Awakening of the Hero

Before dawn, a palpable killing intent permeated the forest. Under the dim moonlight, two swift figures continually drew near and pulled away from each other.

The Demon Lord and the Hero, or rather, Freya and Roland, clashed. Counting their previous lives, this marked their second confrontation.

“In terms of magical power alone, you are no match for me.” Freya swept her sword horizontally, once again forcing her opponent back several meters, a relaxed smile playing on her lips. “If you wish to avoid a truly humiliating defeat, then hold nothing back.”

‘Go, you idiot Hero!’ the real Freya cheered inwardly.

“Be quiet for a moment.” The Demonic Sword sealed Freya’s current consciousness, silencing her incessant chatter.

“You don’t need to tell me.” Roland’s reply was terse, his tone remarkably calm.

“There are two ways to use magical power. One is like you, channeling it into your body for physical attacks and defense.” Freya now held her sword upright on the ground, her right hand resting on the hilt, while her left hand slowly opened towards Roland. “The other way, is this…”

[Lightning Art: Chain Lightning]

Under the Demonic Sword’s influence, Freya’s magic was far more potent and swift than before; even intermediate spells could be cast instantly. Chains of azure-white lightning erupted wildly, surging towards Roland with an aura capable of tearing through anything.

It was fast. Too fast.

Though he had practiced somewhat after their last battle in the Thunderous Ruins, Roland found himself unable to completely evade such an attack now.

Roland only managed to hastily bring his weapon across his body, attempting to slightly mitigate the terrifying force.

Boom—

The lightning appeared in an instant, and vanished in a breath.

As the dust settled, Roland knelt on one knee, a trace of fresh blood staining the corner of his lips.

“The Demon Lord’s body is exceptionally adept at such attacks, but if this is all there is…” Freya lowered her left hand, her right gripping the sword, her gaze burning intensely. “Then it’s utterly uninteresting!”

Her words ceased. Her body moved.

The Demonic Sword controlled Freya’s body, moving like a phantom. Darting left and right, front and back, her elusive form proved too swift for Roland’s eyes to follow.

“Concentrating dark elemental magic around your body not only increases speed but also creates a visual obscuring effect.” Roland retreated, his gaze desperately trying to track her movements. “You’re just a sword, yet you possess so many abilities?”

“Heh heh, this was your skill in your previous life.” Freya suddenly appeared behind Roland, her sword sweeping upward from below. “This move is called [Phantom Step].”

*Clang, clang, clang, clang—*

For the first time, their weapons met with such crisp, ringing blows. Roland continuously retreated, parrying with his sword, while Freya fought with increasing ferocity, as if an inexhaustible wellspring of power surged within her. Her strikes grew more forceful, her swings faster and faster.

In mere seconds, sword met sword repeatedly, producing a crackling sound like electricity arcing or thunder rushing past.

The interwoven energies erupted in brilliant streaks of light.

Employing the elusive footwork of [Phantom Step], Freya’s sword attacks were both cunning and formidable, nearly overwhelming Roland.

Yet, surprisingly, Roland managed to block most of them, even slowly retaining some reserves of strength.

Freya suddenly hesitated. After a horizontal slash, she surprisingly halted her movements. Roland seized the opportunity to retreat, gasping for breath as he recovered his stamina.

“Interesting…” Freya looked at Roland, her eyes filled with admiration. “Not only did you discern the principle behind [Phantom Step], but you actually executed the move yourself in those last few exchanges.”

“It didn’t feel particularly difficult.” Roland shook his aching arm; he had barely managed to block those last few strikes. “And whenever I fight you, there’s always a sense of familiarity.”

“After all, you used me for a long time back then.” Freya seemed to recall past events, a nostalgic expression on her face, but a moment later, her sword intent flared even stronger. “Then… what about this move?”

She placed her sword at her left hip, then leaned forward and charged. Unleashing her full magical power, her figure shimmered rapidly, surging forward with the momentum of rushing thunder.

‘What kind of move is this now!’

Roland’s heart leaped into his throat. ‘This time, I might truly lose my life,’ he thought grimly.

In desperation, he had no choice but to meet it head-on with [Sword Skill: Ground Splitter Wave Sword].

The next moment, Freya, gripping her sword with both hands, swung it from bottom to top. The blade moved with the force of a rising dragon tearing through the sky.

[Sword Skill: Army Breaker Dragon Ascendant Strike]

Her sword skills were more intricate and fiercer.

Her weapon was sturdier and sharper.

Her magical power was greater and stronger.

Despite being at a disadvantage in skill, equipment, and magical power, Roland had already performed to the best of his innate talent.

Yet, given the immense disparity, he ultimately succumbed.

His weapon was knocked from his grasp. His body flew high into the air, much like a discarded lure, before crashing heavily back down.

“You lost.” Freya pointed her sword at the dust-covered Roland, her voice devoid of any emotion. “Any last words?”

“Hah… you’re so formidable, I genuinely wonder how I ever managed to use you back then?” Roland lay on the ground, gasping for air, his voice weak.

“Heh heh… I suppose there’s no harm in telling you. After reaching Hero Level 48, one can awaken [Soul Will], which negates my corrupting power.” Freya traced the blade along his body. “However, the Church also has an even simpler method, but alas, you haven’t undergone a priest’s baptism, so you’ll never have the chance to comprehend it.”

“What method?” Roland figured any moment gained was worthwhile.

“Stalling for time?” Freya let out a soft laugh. “Do you truly believe you still have a chance?” She slowly applied pressure, the sharp blade moving gently, leaving a vivid red scratch on his skin.

“Uhm…” Roland felt the blade slowly inching towards his neck, and couldn’t help but feel a surge of cowardice. “Actually… you don’t really need to kill me…”

“Didn’t your little wife always want to kill you? What’s wrong with me helping her fulfill a wish?” Freya chuckled. “Scared?”

“Yes, I’m scared.” Roland admitted bluntly. “Spare my life.”

“Hmph, how utterly boring…” Freya gazed at the Hero before her, her eyes filled with disdain. “You are truly so different compared to White.”

‘My previous life…’ Roland pondered. ‘These people always talk about my previous life. What kind of person was I, really, in my previous life?’

“However, if it were White, he would never have cared about the Demon Lord’s fate.” Freya gently lifted his chin with the tip of her sword. “You, on the other hand, are much softer-hearted than before…”

The sharp sword tip accidentally grazed the skin on Roland’s neck, also slicing through his silver amulet. The previously unremarkable amulet, now damaged, began to emit a faint glow. Moments later, more light erupted, enveloping both of them.

The area around them was suddenly as bright as day.

‘What’s happening? The concentration of light elements around here is abnormal…’

Freya frowned slightly.

Suddenly, she remembered that the old woman had obtained this amulet from the church. Anything created by the Church must contain a significant amount of light elements.

The Demon Lord’s body had a strong affinity for dark elements. So, what about the Hero?

‘This is bad!’

Her hand moved, intending to plunge the sword into Roland’s neck.

But the next moment, Roland reached out and firmly grasped the blade itself. Yet, the impossibly sharp edge did not cut the skin on his hand.

“The Church’s artifacts are quite useful, it seems.” Roland finally managed a smile. “I remember my mother once told me this amulet had another name: the Symbol of Light’s Baptism. It grants a baptismal effect when destroyed.”

Freya’s heart trembled. She tried to pull her sword free, but no matter how much force she exerted, it remained stuck.

‘Impossible! This body’s magical power is clearly far superior to his!’

‘Could it be…’

“You… have comprehended that skill?” For the first time, a look of panic crossed Freya’s eyes, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “No, it’s impossible!”

Roland slowly rose, his hand still firmly gripping the Demonic Sword. Luminous magical power began to slowly infuse the blade.

“Nothing is impossible. I’ve always wondered, according to legend, when the Hero appears, the Church bestows the Holy Sword upon them. How then, would the Hero resist your corruption before reaching Level 48?” Roland’s voice grew calmer. “After much thought, it must be that there’s something inherently different about the Hero themselves. I once used an appraisal scroll to examine my information and found that the data in my profession column was abnormal, and it came with a very useless skill called [Shoulder Pinch Back Rub].”

Roland’s magical power emanated a pure, clear white light. This power began to work from the point where his palm touched the sword. The pristine energy dispelled the layers of darkness covering the blade, slowly revealing its original color.

“Ugh…” Freya began to show signs of pain, glaring at him ferociously. “I won’t let you have it so easily…” She freed one hand, intending to unleash a magic attack, but the Hero’s other hand seized it tightly.

Under such control, she found herself unable to gather magical power.

“Now, after the baptism, I finally understand…” Roland pressed close to Freya’s body, preventing her next move. The proximity was such that Freya could almost feel his breath on her.

[Shoulder Pinch Back Rub] has disappeared. Promoted skill [Divine Artifact Mastery] has been comprehended.

[Divine Artifact Mastery] LV3: Ignores the negative effects of divine artifacts and allows for their normal use. The higher the level, the more power from divine artifacts can be endured. Each level increases the endured power by 10%, with a maximum level of 10.

Having gained [Divine Artifact Mastery], Roland could now control any divine artifact he touched. Thus, the Demonic Sword could no longer harm him.

As the light-infused magical power slowly permeated the Demonic Sword’s blade, the black sword began to transform once more, gradually returning to its original form.

At this moment, the sword had reverted to the Holy Sword.

“Wait!” The Holy Sword’s power slowly receded from Freya, but it still struggled to speak. “Did you know that the power of the Philosopher’s Stone was split between you and the Demon Lord after reincarnation? As long as you…”

The Holy Sword’s words were cut short, forced back into the blade by Roland.